The Haystack
december 2023 |
Everything written by Zorek Richards unless otherwise noted.
Cultural Apologetics |
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December 4, 2023:
New speaker of the House releases select January 6 footage to allow Christians and conservatives to change the narrative
Days after House speaker Mike Johnson, a conservative Christian who says he is guided by the Bible, started releasing security camera footage from the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump, Trump supporters are using the release to rewrite the narrative of what happened that day. “The show is over,” said “Trump prophet” and Christian entrepreneur Lance Wallnau on a recent episode of “FlashPoint” airing on The Victory Channel, which says its mission is “truth and news, all in the spirit of faith.”
(Steve Rabey/Baptist News Global)
Read More>>>>>
Days after House speaker Mike Johnson, a conservative Christian who says he is guided by the Bible, started releasing security camera footage from the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump, Trump supporters are using the release to rewrite the narrative of what happened that day. “The show is over,” said “Trump prophet” and Christian entrepreneur Lance Wallnau on a recent episode of “FlashPoint” airing on The Victory Channel, which says its mission is “truth and news, all in the spirit of faith.”
(Steve Rabey/Baptist News Global)
Read More>>>>>
December 3, 2023:
Finding Christ in the Unexpected: Loving Our Unhoused Neighbors
This is a common sight in San Diego; we are a city surrounded by palm trees and tent encampments. There are over 1,500 unhoused people living downtown alone, with many more in residential neighborhoods. It’s not unusual to see half a dozen folks sleeping on sidewalks in the mile it takes me to drive to Target. That Christmas day, I had in my hands the remnants of my own personal privilege: a mountain of discarded boxes from toys we were adding to our already-full toy area. This was the thought I was chewing on when the man interrupted his song to say “Merry Christmas” to me. In my own discomfort, I hurried past him, and turned the corner toward the dumpster before I whispered “Merry Christmas” back to him—a useless reply he never heard.
(Sarah K Butterfield/Red Letter Christians)
Read More>>>>>
This is a common sight in San Diego; we are a city surrounded by palm trees and tent encampments. There are over 1,500 unhoused people living downtown alone, with many more in residential neighborhoods. It’s not unusual to see half a dozen folks sleeping on sidewalks in the mile it takes me to drive to Target. That Christmas day, I had in my hands the remnants of my own personal privilege: a mountain of discarded boxes from toys we were adding to our already-full toy area. This was the thought I was chewing on when the man interrupted his song to say “Merry Christmas” to me. In my own discomfort, I hurried past him, and turned the corner toward the dumpster before I whispered “Merry Christmas” back to him—a useless reply he never heard.
(Sarah K Butterfield/Red Letter Christians)
Read More>>>>>
Essay: Faith communities are rallying to check climate change - their size and influence counts
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, more than 80 per cent of the global population are motivated by a faith or spirituality. Faced with the triple planetary crises of pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change, what role can faith communities play in saving the planet?
In a recent publication, we looked at the role of two faith-based organisations – the Green Anglicans movement, which is present in 13 African countries, and UNEP’s Faith for Earth Initiative, a UN program which partners with faith-based organisations on development goals. Our aim was to find out what role faith and religion can play in addressing climate change both at the grassroots and within the UN. (Rachel Mash/Sight)
Read More>>>>>
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, more than 80 per cent of the global population are motivated by a faith or spirituality. Faced with the triple planetary crises of pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change, what role can faith communities play in saving the planet?
In a recent publication, we looked at the role of two faith-based organisations – the Green Anglicans movement, which is present in 13 African countries, and UNEP’s Faith for Earth Initiative, a UN program which partners with faith-based organisations on development goals. Our aim was to find out what role faith and religion can play in addressing climate change both at the grassroots and within the UN. (Rachel Mash/Sight)
Read More>>>>>
Bellevue, Southern Baptists pray for Gaines as he battles cancer
Members of one of the most well-known Southern Baptist churches are focusing their prayer efforts on their pastor this Sunday (Dec. 3). Bellevue Baptist will be lifting up Steve Gaines as he battles kidney cancer.
Gaines made the church aware of his health need on Nov. 19. He told his church family he has “a great team of doctors in Memphis who are treating me.” He said he also plans consult with physicians at M.D. Anderson in Houston. Gaines, a former SBC president, has served as pastor of the Memphis-area church since 2005.
(Brandon Porter/Kentucky Today)
Read More>>>>>
Members of one of the most well-known Southern Baptist churches are focusing their prayer efforts on their pastor this Sunday (Dec. 3). Bellevue Baptist will be lifting up Steve Gaines as he battles kidney cancer.
Gaines made the church aware of his health need on Nov. 19. He told his church family he has “a great team of doctors in Memphis who are treating me.” He said he also plans consult with physicians at M.D. Anderson in Houston. Gaines, a former SBC president, has served as pastor of the Memphis-area church since 2005.
(Brandon Porter/Kentucky Today)
Read More>>>>>
Are our churches prepared for Christian autocracy?
A 1638 treatise titled A Discourse about Civil Government in a new Plantation whose design is Religion, written in response to the founding of New Haven, Conn., contained this definition of a properly Christianized government: Theocracy, or to make the Lord God our governor, is the best form of government in a Christian commonwealth. … That form of government where, a) the people who have the power of choosing their governors are in covenant with God, b) wherein the men chosen by them are godly men and fitted with a spirit of government, c) in which the laws they rule by are the laws of God, d) wherein laws are executed, inheritances allotted, and civil differences are composed according to God’s appointment, (and) 3) in which men of God are consulted (about) all hard cases and in matters of religion, (this) is the form which was received and established among the people of Israel while the Lord God was their governor.
(Bill Leonard/Baptist news Global)
Read More>>>>>
A 1638 treatise titled A Discourse about Civil Government in a new Plantation whose design is Religion, written in response to the founding of New Haven, Conn., contained this definition of a properly Christianized government: Theocracy, or to make the Lord God our governor, is the best form of government in a Christian commonwealth. … That form of government where, a) the people who have the power of choosing their governors are in covenant with God, b) wherein the men chosen by them are godly men and fitted with a spirit of government, c) in which the laws they rule by are the laws of God, d) wherein laws are executed, inheritances allotted, and civil differences are composed according to God’s appointment, (and) 3) in which men of God are consulted (about) all hard cases and in matters of religion, (this) is the form which was received and established among the people of Israel while the Lord God was their governor.
(Bill Leonard/Baptist news Global)
Read More>>>>>
MEME Report Dec 3, 2023:
MEME Report Dec 2, 2023:
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December 1, 2023:
The Orthodox Church Is More Evangelical Than You Think
Interview with Lausanne-affiliated expert discusses who is in the church, the propriety of proselytism, and the example given by Billy Graham in Russia and Romania.(Jayson Casper/Christianity Today 12/1/23)
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Interview with Lausanne-affiliated expert discusses who is in the church, the propriety of proselytism, and the example given by Billy Graham in Russia and Romania.(Jayson Casper/Christianity Today 12/1/23)
Read More>>>>>
Would Moses have made a good CEO?
Today's workplace is a largely untapped mission field where God wants to use each person regardless of level, position, or title. But to whom much is given, much is expected. Since workplace culture is influenced from the top down, Christian leaders and CEOs have a tremendous opportunity to reap a harvest for the Lord by their example and business practices. All God asks of anyone in the workplace is to be faithful and obedient to him. A perfect example of this is Moses. In the movie "The Ten Commandments," Moses is portrayed with an overflowing self-confidence and determination as he rises up to be a larger-than-life leader for the people of Israel. And when Moses steps down as their leader, he has an impressive list of accomplishments that any retiring executive would envy. But we forget that Moses did not start that way. (Biblical Leadership)
Read More>>>>>
Today's workplace is a largely untapped mission field where God wants to use each person regardless of level, position, or title. But to whom much is given, much is expected. Since workplace culture is influenced from the top down, Christian leaders and CEOs have a tremendous opportunity to reap a harvest for the Lord by their example and business practices. All God asks of anyone in the workplace is to be faithful and obedient to him. A perfect example of this is Moses. In the movie "The Ten Commandments," Moses is portrayed with an overflowing self-confidence and determination as he rises up to be a larger-than-life leader for the people of Israel. And when Moses steps down as their leader, he has an impressive list of accomplishments that any retiring executive would envy. But we forget that Moses did not start that way. (Biblical Leadership)
Read More>>>>>
Faith and Fruitfulness: How to Thrive in Our Cultural Momen
tHow can Christians offer grace, freedom, and truth in this current cultural moment? In this episode of Post-Christianity?, Glen Scrivener and Andrew Wilson get practical. If their books are correct in diagnosing the 21st-century West as post-Christian, what effect can this have on our approach to everyday evangelism, preaching, and parenting? Scrivener and Wilson return to the observation that it’s refreshing to be able to say to people “Here’s why you’re right” rather than “Here’s why you’re wrong.” (Glen Scrivner/Gospel Coalition)
Read More>>>>>
tHow can Christians offer grace, freedom, and truth in this current cultural moment? In this episode of Post-Christianity?, Glen Scrivener and Andrew Wilson get practical. If their books are correct in diagnosing the 21st-century West as post-Christian, what effect can this have on our approach to everyday evangelism, preaching, and parenting? Scrivener and Wilson return to the observation that it’s refreshing to be able to say to people “Here’s why you’re right” rather than “Here’s why you’re wrong.” (Glen Scrivner/Gospel Coalition)
Read More>>>>>
Quips & Quotables Dec 1, 2023:
Paul Schrag
Christian nationalism is as old as Constantine and as new as MAGA. From the Roman emperor to the Trump slogan, the merging of religious and national identities has taken many forms. Christian nationalism seeks power and privilege for followers of one faith. But, as Jesus warned, what does it profit a person to gain the whole world but lose one’s soul (Mark 8:36)?
Constantine’s conversion did not spiritualize the empire, says historian Peter Heather in his new book, Christendom. Just the opposite: It produced the Romanization of Christianity — religion as servant of the state.
American Christians, too, forfeit the soul of their faith when they try to link it with secular power.
But the discrediting of faith is only half the damage. Christian nationalism distorts both faith and democracy. --Paul Schrag; Anabaptist World 8/21/23
Constantine’s conversion did not spiritualize the empire, says historian Peter Heather in his new book, Christendom. Just the opposite: It produced the Romanization of Christianity — religion as servant of the state.
American Christians, too, forfeit the soul of their faith when they try to link it with secular power.
But the discrediting of faith is only half the damage. Christian nationalism distorts both faith and democracy. --Paul Schrag; Anabaptist World 8/21/23
